Gunners Salute Their Retiring Adjutant General

Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) on Saturday (01) bade farewell to one of its proud sons, Major General A.S de Z Wickramarathne, former Adjutant General of the Army who has rendered an exemplary service to both the Regiment and the organization during a formal military ceremony at his Regimental Headquarters, Army Cantonment, Panagoda.

The day’s programme kicked off after Major General Wickramarathne on arrival paid his respect to SLA War Heroes by placing a floral wreath and saluting the monument at the SLA Regimental Headquarters.

The retiring Major General received a Guard Turnout and a Regimental Parade, presented by SLA troops at the 6 SLA Regiments’ parade grounds after he was warmly welcomed by Brigadier N.L.K Samarasinghe, Brigade Commander, Artillery Brigade and Colonel D. M. A. P Dissanayake, Center Commandant, SLA.

The charming but the dignified military parade was reviewed by the outgoing Major General, accompanied by the Parade Commander, together with the Centre Commandant, SLA in accordance with military traditions.

While addressing the Gunners, both at the Regimental Parade and Sergeants and the Warrant Officers Mess, he paid his gratitude to all officers and other ranks for their generous support, extended during his entire career as a Gunner Officer in the Regiment.

Afterwards, the retiring Major General posed for a group photograph with Officers at the SLA Regimental Headquarters.

Planting of a sapling in the SLA Regimental Headquarter premises, followed by an All Rank tea party and signing of the Visitors’ Book at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess were among the major highlights of the programme.

Regimental Sergeant Major on behalf of all Other Rankers of the SLA awarded a memento admiring the distinguished services he rendered for the Artillery Regiment during his visit to their mess.

Major General A.S de Z Wickramarathne afterwards placed his signature in the Visitors’ Book at the SLA Regiment to symbolize the retirement after his distinguished service. An All Rank lunch and a subsequent get-together brought the farewell ceremonies to end.

Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks of the SLA participated in the day’s events.